Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Use your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

While you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter

can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick

may also prevent serious flu complications.

For people with high risk factors, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.

Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug.

Flu-like symptoms include:

fever

cough

sore throat

runny or stuffy nose

body aches

headache

chills

fatigue.

Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and also have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

If you or someone you care for is sick with the flu, you may find the following helpful:

Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More)